Fresh setback for Lampard

Frank Lampard has been ruled out for a further three weeks after suffering a new injury in training.

Last Updated: 13/11/10 8:55am

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been ruled out for a further three weeks after suffering a new injury in training.

Lampard has not played for the Premier League champions since the end of August after undergoing a hernia operation.

He was working towards a first-team comeback against Sunderland on Sunday, but his return has been delayed after picking up a fresh muscle problem.

The 32-year-old damaged his adductor muscle near the groin area towards the end of Friday's training session and he faces up to another three weeks on the sidelines.

Lampard had been expected to go straight back into Carlo Ancelotti's starting line-up against Sunderland after Michael Essien was sent off in the midweek win over Fulham.

The continued absence of the England international means Ancelotti is likely to go with a midfield trio of John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Yuri Zhirkov, who all started last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Ancelotti can call on Nicolas Anelka after a back injury, but Brazilian defender Alex will miss out again due to a knee problem.